Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-02-07
THE PITH OF THE NATTER.
SECRETARY MANNlNG'S STATEMENT
OF THE FISHERIES QUESTION,

OF THE FISHERIES QUESTION,
He Dwells on Matter of Manifest Des-
tiuy-He Also Proposes a Substitute Re
taiiatory BilI-Why Cleveland Vetoed a
Few Pension BiIls-Morgan on the
Isthmus CanaI-Capital Miscellany
WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. 7-Secretary
Manning Sunday evening made public his
reply to an inquiry by the house foreign
affairs committee for an expression of opin-
ion on the pending legislation contemplating
retaliation upon and non-intercourss with
Canada Secretary Manning says American
fishing rights are defined by the treaties of
1888 and 1875 and our fishermen have a
right to fish on a portion of the coasts Of the
British colonies of North America absolute
and perfect as is their right to fish on the high
seas; while on other portions OF those coasts
we have renowned the liberty which we en-
joyed till 1878, to catch, dry, or cure fish.
II is assumed that the United States are con-
tent with their existing rights of fishing on
Canadian coasts if those treatise are faith
fully kept. 1t is also assumed that the gov
eminent will not protect American fisher
men found knowingly fishing on forbidden
Canadian coasts, but will, if necessary, pun
ish vessel thus fishing
In respect TO commercial privileges for our
fishing vessels in Canadian ports, the situa-
ton is very different The treaty of ISIS
secured to our fishermen admission to Cana
dian buys or harbors, for purposes of shelter
or repairs, and for wood and water, but for
no Other purpose whatever. This. the secre-
tary SAYS, should not lie called CONNER
cial rights; they are rights of hu-
manity and decency, to refuse which
is an act of barharism fit only for savages.
Our complaint is not that the restrictions en-
| forced by Canadian statutes and officials is a
restriction of our commercial privileges, but
| q violation of our fishing rights, secured by
| treaty. After minute review of our com
mercial privileges, he concludes that it is not
in regard to any of these that the issue
arises. The secretary believes, that Great
Britain may, if believing it to her interest.
| withdraw from the agreement of 1890,
| which was an international bargain and con-
tract solemnized and attested. The royal
| assent given by the queen Nov. 26, 1886,
to the Canadian act entitled IAN act to fur
Their amend the act respecting fisheries by
| foreign vessels contemplates the seizure and
| forfeiture Of American vessels under cir
cumstances which we claim to be in violation
of the treaty OF 1915, and this act is repeal
and annulment by England of the arrange.
ment of 1880, and to that repeal we are en-
| titled to respond by similar repeal OF our
| own law. and by a refusal hereafter, and
while debate or negotiation goes on, to confer
hospitality or any privileges whatever in our
| ports, on Canadian vessels or boats of any
| sort. A violation of comfy may be looL
upon as an unfriendly act, but not cause
for Just war England may judge of th,
nature and extent of the comfy and cour
| tesy she will show to us. { This case We do
not retaliate, but simply respond, suspendins
comfy and hospitality The secretary add,
| that the only question Is as to the character
of the response which would he best ii
keeping with the interests and dignity of thu
United States. He suggests several defect
in the bill which recently passed the senate
and adds that it is much to be regretted thai
media.val tariff laws like that cruel leg
acy of war which sttll encounters the stat
ute books of the United States, or medic
val non-intercourse policy, like that of tn
in council on the threshold of her ma jesty'
jubilee year, should be the divided disgrace
of our common civilization He expresses
his belief that the ultimate destiny of the
United States and British North America is
to unite in one indissolubls union of indie
structible states and that all laws that W:
enact should conform TO and further thi
contamination, and concludes as follows:
Subject to this policy, therefore, ever
when repelling aggression; avowing thi
, common duty and ultimate destiny, ever
when responding to an offensive n-inter
course policy by offended non-intercours
acts which at any moment We are more anx
lous to withdraw from than now willing t,
enter upon, | Submit TO Your commltte
with the greatest Difference, the followin:
bill
The bill which the secretary submits
preceded by preamble, setting forth tha
the rights of our fishermen have been per
! sistently violated. that no redress has bee
granted, and that by recent legislation Can
! adian non-intercourse with American fishin
! vessels for general purposes of trade has bee
established The bIll provides that upo
; proof that the rights, privileges, or libertie
of American vessels in Canadian ports
waters or coasts, have been denied or II
stricted, the president shall, by proclams
ton, close the ports of the United States I
Canadian vessels and British vessels froI
Canadian ports, and exclude merchandise
locomotives, trains etc, from Canada, and Ell
force Disqualification by seizures, forfeiture
! and penalties. and qualify limit, reScind o
) renew any part of his proclamation at hi
discretion, and appoint a commission {
| ascertain the losses and injuries infiicte
upon American vessels aud citizens engage
; in the fisher les by British or Canadian al
thority or sanction.
r 1t is also understood that recent corr
J spondence with the British governmer
called for by a resolution of Mr. Belmon
ante-dating this correspondents, is abol
/ ready to he presented. The purport OF it,
Is said, will be most interesting and in
I portRnt
) Professor Baird, of the United States ifs
commission, has for seine months been co
lecting, data bearing on the fishery question
, MIR. Earil of the commission. who has ha
charge of the correspondence, and who hi
b made personal investigation of the subjec
: thinks the United States doesn't need Can;
: dian bait or Canadian fishing & ounds, an
h that non-intercourse would work well fC
this country and badly for Canadians.
OUR RIGHTS ON THE tSTHMUS.
Morgan Advocates the Monroe DOCTRINE
r More Pension yetoes.